Bob Roth slid off his horse and readjusted his belt as he strode confidently up to the house. Drawing out his long sword he raised the butt of it up to the door and banged so heavily against it Adrien almost feared the roof might cave in.

"Don't make this more difficult than it has to be." Roth bellowed out. "We know you are in there Agreste. The new King wants the girl alive, so just come on out and let's get this over with."

Adrien and Alix looked at each other, both trying to think of a plan. Getting impatient, Roth banged on the door again.

"You hear me Agreste?" Roth called out.

"I hear you." Adrien called back reluctantly. "What guarantees are you going to give me that you won't kill us?"

"None." Came the abrupt response. "Bardot wants the girl, you not so much, just the ring on your finger to add to his collection of royal jewels. Besides, your cousin killed my son so watching you die would give me great pleasure."

"Your cousin?" Alix queried with concern.

Adrien shook his head. "Félix didn't know XY very well. If he killed him, I'm sure he had his reasons. Knowing XY I could believe that."

The house shook violently once again as Roth banged on the door. "I'm not going to wait all day, Agreste! If you don't open this door I'll light a fire under your arse and smoke you out."

Alix screwed up her nose. "What is it with men and wanting to light fires!"

Adrien looked back over at his sleeping wife, the noise not having roused her at all. "I'll have to go out there and stall him."

"You can't do that! What if it's a trap?" Alix said, grabbing his arm.

"We're already in a trap." Adrien pointed out. "We need to surrender or fight, either way we can't stay here and wait for them to burn us out."

Taking out his rapier, Adrien could feel his heart slamming against his chest. Roth wasn't a General for no reason and was rightly feared by many of the soldiers. He had a reputation for ruthlessness, but Adrien had made up his mind. He would defend his wife with his last breath if he had to.

"Alix, watch over Marinette." He said, taking a deep breath and preparing himself.

"Maybe you should transform first?" She suggested. Plagg poked his head out and agreed but Adrien shook his head.

"I don't think Roth knows I'm Chat Noir, and I can't risk outing myself to him, or compromising Marinette. You should transform though. They wouldn't know about you."

Alix called on Fluff and transformed into Bunnyx. Adrien was somewhat surprised to find Alix's weapon of choice was an umbrella. "Don't say anything Catboy." She warned, holding up a finger to him. "At least I don't purr in my sleep."

Adrien gave her a somewhat amused grin. "I was just going to compliment you on your lovely fluffy tail."

Alix narrowed her eyes at him before he turned and opened the door, coming face to face with his new nemesis. Adrien was fairly tall, but Roth's girth seemed to have filled the entire doorway. Roth smirked when he saw the Prince. "Good choice, your highness." Roth said contemptuously, giving an exaggerated bow. "Now hand over your weapon and that ring and come quietly."

"Why does Barbot want my ring?" Adrien asked, hoping to stall Roth from entering.

"How the hell should I know?" Roth scoffed. "The ring is passed on to the heir apparent, right? I guess he figured it makes his accession to the throne more legitimate. Either way I don't particularly care. Now just hurry up and hand the wench over."

Adrien felt his anger rising but gave no reaction. His instinct was right though, Bardot hadn't told Roth what the ring was.

"I didn't say I was surrendering." Adrien pointed out, his anger clear on his face. "And I'm not handing my wife over to Bardot without a fight."

Adrien's threat was met with Roth's crude laughter. "Wife now is it, well now isn't that just precious. I don't give a rat's arse who or what she is, but if you want to die, then be my guest."

Without a moment of hesitation, Roth clashed his sword against Adrien's rapier. Pushing against his foe, Adrien sent Roth unbalanced enough to get past him and out of the doorway, taking a defensive stance in the middle of the thoroughfare. Roth's men, still on horseback, made way and created a semicircle around the dueling me.

"Do you really think you can outmatch me with that little rapier of yours?" Roth sneered. "And don't think I didn't notice that limp you have gained. Killing you will almost be too simple. Why don't you just hand that ring over and I'll leave your fate up to Bardot instead?"

Adrien shook his head. "If you want it, come and get it." Then a mischievous smirk spread across his lips. "At least the size of my sword isn't trying to compensate for something else."

Roth's nostrils flared. " Why you little…!"

Swinging his sword, Adrien managed to side step to avoid the blade. From his pocket he could hear Plagg urging him to transform, but Adrien wasn't about to out himself in front of Bardot men.

Roth lunged at him again and Adrien deflected the blade with his own. Stepping around each other in a wide circle, Adrien made a lunge, trading blows in a volley he quickly realised he was losing ground on. While his rapier was much stronger than a normal one, since it was part of his Miraculous weapon incognito, Roth was a larger man who swung a long sword with precision and Adrien had lost some of his agility through his prolonged illness and recovery from his injury.

Eventually, Roth knocked Adrien's rapier from his hand, forcing him onto his knees in the dirt. Roth grinned with a smug sense of satisfaction. Raising his sword, Adrien mentally begged Marinette to forgive him for failing her and prepared himself for impact.

"What's that?" One of the men called out the in terror.

"It's a demon!" Another soldier suddenly cried out, pointing to the roof with fear in his eyes.

Roth hesitated and looked to where the men were pointing. There stood a woman in red, brandishing a sword and wearing a mask matched to a pair of dragon horns. From behind her a figure in purple ran and lept down, landing beside Adrien.

"That's quite enough." The Peacock hero stated, dusting himself off and taking out his sword. "I suggest you and your men leave quietly, General Roth, unless you wish to become acquainted with my sword."

Roth roared with laughter. "What is this? Freaks on parade?"

Argos was unmoved. "No." He replied calmly. "But if you don't let my friends go, you will find yourself without an entourage."

"Oh yeah? Who's going to stop me? You and some girl playing dress ups?"

Just then more masked heroes started to appear. The horses began to become spooked, their hooves pouring at the ground and their heads shaking wildly at the masked faces surrounding them. While Bob Roth might have been unfazed by the heroes, his men on the other hand were clearly uneasy. Roth then pointed his sword at Argos.

"How about you and your freaks get out of my way. I have a job to do here?"

"What job is that exactly?" Argos taunted. "Finish the job your son didn't do?"

Roth's nostrils flared. "Very well then." He grinned menacingly. "Let's see if you bleed purple."

As Roth swung his sword around it clashed with Ryuko's where she had jumped in between Argos and the blade. "Get the Prince out of here." She called out before going into attack, the ferocity of which took Roth by surprise.

Viperion, Queen Bee and Volpina then began to attack the horseman, the three brandishing swords of their own. Argos whisked Adrien up onto a roof and behind a chimney. He was more than a little confused at the sudden appearance of these new Miraculous holders.

"Don't look at me like that cousin." Argos laughed. "I would have thought you of all people would have figured out that the De Vanily Brooch was more than meets the eye."

"Félix!" Adrien couldn't help but smile as he embraced his cousin. "I did… but how did you find me?"

Argos smiled and tapped the brooch pinned to his chest. "It led me to you. We also caught a little rat trying to sneak away with a bad full of money."

Adrien let out a frustrated sigh. "We were betrayed. But where did all these other Miraculous holders come from?"

"I'll explain everything later, but now I think we need Chat Noir helping us… don't you?"

Adrien nodded, calling Plagg to transform him. "My wife is unconscious in the house." He said, urgency returning to his voice.

Félix gave him a knowing nod. "She's the Ladybug, isn't she?"

"You know?"

"The kwamis have told us as much as they know, the rest Kagami and I managed to fill in the blanks." Félix explained.

"Kagami? Was that Kagami before on the roof?"

Félix smiled and nodded. "She's my wife now and the best thing that has ever happened to me." His face then became more serious. "What about your wife? What does Roth want with her?"

"He's on orders from Bardot. He's trying to take her to him."

Argos' eyes darkened at the mention of Bardot's name. "Then let's get her out of there before they can get away."

Chat Noir took out his baton and followed Argos back into the fray. There was a clashing of swords and the stamping of hooves. While their transformations helped them to be more agile, and in Adrien's case masked his limp, it was becoming evident that it wasn't protecting them from damage. Queen Bee was clearly becoming fatigued, Viperion was bleeding from his leg and Volpina… where was she?

"Wait… where is Bob Roth?" Chat called out to Argos. His cousin looked around but his attention soon was diverted when he saw Ryuko crumpling to the ground, clutching her midsection after a clash with one of the soldiers.

"Nooo!" He yelled, running to her side with Chat close behind. Argos cradled her head in his lap.

"I'm alright." Ryuko tried to assure him. "It's just a flesh wound, but the General was heading for the house."

Chat turned in his heel and ran into the house to find Bunnyx sprawled out on the ground with a blow to her head. Marinette was gone.

"Bunnyx." Chat called out, cradling her face between his hands, but she was unresponsive. Laying next to Bunnyx was the Turtle Miraculous that must have fallen out of Marinette's pocket when Bob Roth carted her away. Chat picked it up and placed it in his own pocket, fighting back the tears that were threatening to fall. He had failed her.

In the distance there was the sound of a bugle and the remaining men of Roth's took to their horses and left, leaving the heroes to limp into the house. Chat noted that Volpina was behind them unharmed but out of breath.

"Roth took her." Volpina puffed, seeing the suspicious look Chat was giving her. "I saw him take her and tried to follow. It looks as though he was heading for a large encampment that's over the river."

"There would be too many men there." Viperion added, shaking his head. "We can't take them on ourselves… they would be expecting us to try."

"Is she alright?" Queen Bee then asked, motioning to Bunnyx as her transformation wore off and an exhausted Fluff tumbled out of her watch.

"She took a blow to the head, but should be alright." Chat replied, picking up the bunny Kwami. "We need to treat her wound."

"We have to get back to the camp then." Argos added. He was supporting Ryuko who was holding onto him.

Viperion placed a hand on Chat's shoulder. "I'm glad we found you, your highness." He said earnestly. Chat could recognise that gentle tone anywhere.

"Luka." He smiled, standing up and giving his old friend a hug. "Nino? Did you find Nino?"

Viperion nodded. "Yes, he and Alya are back at the camp keeping an eye on a little rat that I'm sure you would like to speak to."

It wasn't that far to where they found Nino and Alya babysitting their captive. Wayhem was sitting with his wrists tied by the fire and cowered his head when he saw Adrien approaching him.

"Where is he taking her?" Adrien demanded, his eyes burning with anger.

"I don't know…"

Wayhem barely got the words out when Adrien picked him up by the scruff of his neck and threw him down onto the ground. Luka and Félix both intervened to pull him back before Adrien could lay a fist into Wayhem's face. Félix had never seen Adrien so angry before, but then again he understood how it felt to see the woman you love under threat.

"Let me handle this cousin." Félix suggested as Adrien shrugged off Luka's hold on him. If Wayhem thought he was going to get an easier time, he was sorely mistaken. Pulling out a small dagger from his boot, Felix held it to the traitor's throat. "Alright you little guttersnipe. Talk!"

Wayhem held his bound hands up in the air. "Alright, alright. I'll tell you everything I know." The traitor wailed.

"That's more like it." Félix scowled, pulling Wayhem back up roughly and sitting him down on a log with a thud . Félix then held up the purse of coins. "You can start off by telling me what the payment was for."

Wayhem hung his head in shame. "It was my payment for information. Lord Bardot sent word for me to lead General Roth to the girl and see that she was taken. After that I was no longer needed."

"No longer needed?" Adrien questioned, coming closer. "How long have you been watching her?"

"Since you arrived at the Kurtzburg place. I was under orders to watch Lady Zoè Lee. I thought you were dead, so you can imagine my surprise when you turned up there alive and then got married. That's when my final orders came to make sure General Roth got hold of the girl and if you happened to be collateral..." He held up his hands and shrugged his shoulders. "I lost you after the village fire, so I went home undercover and joined up with the resistance, along with a bunch of other new recruits, hoping to learn of your whereabouts."

Volpina rubbed her chin and frowned as she listened to Wayhem. Bourgeois, XY, Wahem, Félix, me… the left never knew what the right was doing. With so many moving parts no wonder Bardot lost track of Marinette and the Prince. There had been a plan once, a simple but brilliant plan that would have given both of them what they wanted, status and prestige, but then her Uncle found out about the Miraculous and the plan had gone to hell in the name of power. That's where it all went wrong. If she could go back and stop him from discovering that secret, then maybe…

"Did you know why Bardot was watching Zoè?" Chloè asked Wayhem. Adrien was surprised at the casual way Chloè had said the name, and the sound of concern in her voice. He wasn't aware that they knew each other and it didn't sound like the Chloé he remembered. Wayhem shook his head.

"Bardot only said it was a matter of national security. I guess she…"

"You!" Came the angry voice of Alix from behind them, stumbling groggily out of the tent. Everyone focused on the fiery girl that was ignoring the pain in her head to storm over to Volpina. "You tried to take it from me!"

"What are you talking about?" Félix questioned, somewhat annoyed that his interrogation had been interrupted.

Alix pointed an accusing finger at Volpina. "She tried to take the Rabbit Miraculous off me."

Kagami heard the commotion and came out from another tent. Félix quickly ran over to support his wife who was still holding her bandaged side and didn't see the look Chloè and Volpina exchanged.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Volpina replied innocently, but Alix wasn't having it.

"I saw you in the room. You were there when Roth came in and you tried to steal my Miraculous."

"You're confused." Volpina insisted. "I came in after you had been attacked by Roth. I checked on you before I ran after Roth with the girl."

"Alix." Luka said soothingly, placing his hands on her shoulders. "You've suffered a trauma to the head. It's understandable that things might not be clear right now."

"But I saw her…"

"Alix, she is on our side."

"Then why doesn't she show herself! She is the only one who hasn't revealed her identity. Heck even the Bourgeois kid was more upfront and her parents were the damn enemy!"

Volpina tried to conceal her rising panic. Not only would half the people here recognise her instantly, and all trust would be lost, but Wayhem would surely know the part she had previously played in her Uncle's plan.

"My identity could derail the mission." Volpina hastily explained. "What matters now is that we get the Prince to the Capital. My… Lord Bardot has clearly lost his mind and the whole of DuPont is at risk while he is on the throne."

"Remember what Jules said in her vision." Luka added. "Stronger together. If we are to do this, we have to trust each other."

Alix was reluctant to agree, but she relented. "Just remember I'm watching you." She said, pointing at her eyes and then pointing at Volpina. She then let Chloè help her back to her tent.

"Then what do we do with this one?" Kagami asked, pointing at Wayhem.

"Let him go." Luka replied. "Nobody likes a traitor. He won't find many friends around here."

Félix looked disappointed with that suggestion, but he cut Wayhem's binds and gave him a good kick up the backside as Wahem scampered off like the wimp he was. The tension around the campsite was palpable, but most decided to let the situation sleep as they made their way into the tents.

Alya and Nino had been watching quietly from the sidelines, deciding not to get involved. After Adrien exchanged a brief conversation with Luka and Félix, he went over to Nino and placed the turtle bracelet in his hand.

"I don't know how long Master Fu can hold out without unlocking the Miracle Box, but we are going to need all the help we can get."

Nino shook his head and tried to give the bracelet back. "This is Master Fu's Miraculous. I don't think..."

Adrien grabbed Nino's wrist and wrapped the Miraculous around it. Wayzz popped out of the Miraculous and greeted Nino warmly. "He would want you to wear it." Adrien assured him. "Luka told me about your bravery when you were all escaping Montparnasse Prison and don't think I've forgotten that time when we were just green cadets when you stood between me and a runaway horse."

Nino smiled shyly. "Anyone would have done that."

Adrien shook his head. "Not just anyone. You were my shield that day, and you will be now… Captain."

Nino's eyes widened and he felt Alya wrap her arms around his. "Captain? But Luka…?"

"Agrees with me that you should be Captain of the sharpshooters. Luka only took the position because he was appointed personally by my father, but we both know he would be far more at home as Admiral of the royal fleet."

Nino was overwhelmed, but accepted his position gracefully and with determination. Adrien then turned his attention to Alya who was standing just behind Nino. "We will get Marinette back. I promise you that we will."

"I know." Alya replied, trying to hold back the tears in her eyes. "She's stronger than she looks and she's one of the smartest people I know." She then grabbed Adrien's arm supportively. "She loves you, more than you know. She has since the day she met you."

"And I love her." Adrien affirmed before lowering his head. "But is it enough to save her?"

Alya and Nino looked at each other helplessly. They wanted to tell him everything would be okay, but they all knew that the next step would be straight into the lion's den.

Adrien left Alya and Nino by the fire to become more acquainted with Wayzz and returned to his own tent that Félix had set up for him. He looked over at Marinette's bag, sitting unopened. He needed to make a plan, but his mind and his heart were in turmoil.

"Adrikins?" He heard from outside the tent before the entry was unceremoniously opened and Chloè popped her head in. Adrien couldn't help a small smile coming to his lips at that old nickname.

"You haven't called me that since we were kids." He said with melancholy waving his hand for her to come in.

"Our parents' feud certainly put a wedge between us." She said as she sat down on a cushion beside him, "But I've learned the reason why, that's why I wanted to talk to you in private… before you learn the story from rumours."

Adrien looked at her curiously. "I thought it was a dispute over an old claim to the throne."

Chloè shook her head. "That was only an excuse. The truth is… well it's a lot more complicated."

Adrien sat in stunned silence as one bombshell after another Chloè recounted the night at the Palace where she learned the truth about Audrey and Gabriel's affair as well as the true parentage of Zoè Lee.

"I can't believe it." Adrien exclaimed. "Poor Zoé, caught in the middle like that. I mean, I guess I can see Zoè being our sister but…"

"Wow, that feels so weird hearing that out loud. Our sister. I mean, does that make us family?" Chloè asked, pointing between herself and Adrien.

"I guess in a roundabout way it could." Adrien pondered. He then chuckled at the semi-disgusted look on Chloè's face. "What? You don't like the idea of being my sister?"

"It's not that." Chloè explained. "It's just, my mother wanted me to marry you, knowing perfectly well that we shared a sister in common. That feels so wrong!"

Adrien agreed with that. "I guess she thought the truth would never come out. Where are your parents now anyway?"

Chloè shrugged. "They were escorted off the Palace grounds. Bardot said they were going into exile, but some of the servants heard rumours they were taken to Monpanasse Prision. I… don't know where to go or what to do. I feel so alone."

Chloè turned her head away, not wanting Adrien to see her cry. Taking out his handkerchief, Adrien offered it to her. "Don't worry Chloè. We will find them and…"

"I don't want to see them." She said, sniffing her nose and wiping her eyes. "I don't consider myself a member of that family anymore after all that they have done. I'm just afraid to start again."

Adrien placed a reassuring hand on Chloe's shoulder. "Then you can stay with us until you get onto your feet." He said with a warm smile. "We are family now as far as I'm concerned, and I'm going to make sure you're alright." He then placed his hand over hers. "Stay a while and talk to me. It's been a long time and I'm sure we could both do with the company."

Chloé was overwhelmed, although she wasn't entirely surprised. Adrien and Zoè had a lot in common. The same kind nature. They were nothing like her, even if she and Zoè did share the same mother. Chloè had tried so hard in her life to emulate her mother, until she realised that Audrey was a woman she didn't even know. For the first time Chloè felt she could find a sense of peace with her new found family.

~~~~~

Gruff voices in the distance drifted somewhere into the foggy reaches of Marinette's brain. Why did she feel like she was rocking? Trying to open her eyes, they were too heavy to see properly. Her shoulder ached. Marinette went to move her arm but she was met with resistance and she realised that her hands were tied behind her back.

"Adrien…" She whispered, but her mouth was quickly covered by something small.

"Shhh." Tikki whispered to her. "Don't let them hear you."

"Them?" Marinette questioned. Blinking her eyes a few times she could see she was inside an unfamiliar wagon. "Where are we? Tikki what happened?"

"You were given a sleeping draft and have been taken by General Bob Roth."

Marinette tried to think through the haze. They were at a house and drinking tea. It was bitter…

"Adrien?" She gasped. "Where is…?"

"He seemed alright the last I saw. I had to hide so that the soldiers couldn't see me. There were other heroes, Marinette! They have come to help us." The little Kwami said excitedly.

Marinette was glad that Tikki was happy about the other heroes, but all she could think about was Adrien… and to whom Roth was taking her.

"How far are we from the Capital?" Marinette asked, a feeling of fear and dread settling in her stomach.

"Not far. A few hours maybe." Tikki replied. "I overheard the men talking. You are being taken to Lord Barbot, or King Thèo as they called him now. But don't worry, now that you are awake you can transform and we…"

"Wait." Marinette said, shifting closer to the wall of the wagon so she could hear. Outside there were different voices speaking as men moved around, but two that were particularly close to the wagon were more audible than the others.

"… and it looked like the little pipsqueak got himself caught on the way out anyway by one of those costumed freaks." A gruff voice laughed. "Can't say I feel sorry for him. Got what was coming."

"Do you think we should have gone back and gotten him?"

"What for? Traitors deserve what they get. No skin off my nose. Besides, the General seems keen to get this one back to the Capital."

"What's so important about a girl?"

"Beats me, but he wants her alive if you know what I mean." The man's chuckle made Marinette's stomach churn.

"I wondered why the General didn't just Prince Adrien? Bit weird isn't it?"

"Bardot's orders." The gruff voice replied. "Delivered the documents myself. I heard he wants the Prince to come for the girl so he can make a real spectacle of it, and we'll make sure to have a nice welcoming party ready for him when he does."

Marinette heard the men laughing as they moved away from the wagon. They were planning to set a trap for Adrien and she was going to be the bait.

"Marinette, we have to leave." Tikki urged, but her holder slowly shook her head.

"No." Marinette said in a hoarse whisper, her brows furrowed and her mind racing.

"What?" Tikki gasped. "But Marinette…"

"I have to go to the Capital. I have to tell Fu to release the full power of the Miracle Box."

"But Marinette, if that happened then Bardot will have full power of any Miraculous still remaining in the box. If the Butterfly is there…"

"I understand the risk Tikki, but Adrien and the others are walking into a trap they won't survive without the full protection of the Miraculous. He needs to be warned, and you are the only one who can do that."

"Me?"

Marinette nodded, taking off her earrings. "We can't let the Ladybug earrings fall into Bardot's hands. You have to take them to Adrien. Can you find him?"

Tikki nodded. "Your connection should help me to connect to Plagg. Close your eyes and open your heart."

Marinette closed her eyes and visualised Adrien with all the love she had for him in her heart while Tikki placed her tiny hand over her heart. A small red glow surrounded Tikki.

"I feel him." Tikki confirmed. "I can find him, but Marinette…"

"You have to go Tikki. I'll be alright, I promise." Marinette said, taking off her earrings and handing them to her Kwami.

Tikki hugged Marinette's cheek, trusting that her holder knew what she was doing. With one final glance back, and Marinette's nod of encouragement, Tikki disappeared into the dark.

~~~~~

Purple Tigress slinked in between the shadows, in and out of the dark alleyways in the Capital. She felt a little guilty that she hadn't told her mother or Socqueline where she was going, but she didn't want Luka's girl trying to come with her. It was far too dangerous and she had promised her brother that she would look after her.

Max had sent her a message to come and meet him and Kim at a safe house run by the resistance. Following his cryptic instruction, it didn't take Juleka too long to find the place she was looking for. Dropping her transformation, Roarr hid in her purse and she knocked three times on the door. A small latch on the peep hole opened and a nervous eye looked out at her. After sizing her up and down and being satisfied, Max opened the door.

"Thank you for coming, Miss Couffaine." He said, taking her coat and inviting her to take a seat. "What news of the Prince?"

"My brother went with the Prince's cousin to seek him out." She explained. "I have not heard from them directly, but I do believe they have found him and are on their way back."

Max frowned curiously. "If you haven't heard from them, how do you know that?"

"I have my ways." She replied cryptically. Max just shook his head. Psychic predictions had no scientific or logical explanation, so he would prefer to leave it at that.

"Very well, I'll take your word for it. In the meantime, we have a contact that we have made inside the palace. Kim!" Max called out. "Bring her in."

A door opened and Kim stepped into the room with someone standing behind him. Max stood up and addressed the shadow.

"It's alright Rose. Juleka is an ally and friend to the Prince."

The timid blonde stepped out from behind Kim, her hands restless as they played with the hem of her apron. Max invited Rose to take a seat opposite from Juleka.

"Rose here is a servant in the palace kitchen." Max explained. "She has served meals to everyone in the household and has been privy to some rather interesting information."

"What kind of information?" Juleka asked. Rose had her eyes fixed down on the salt shaker in front of her. Juleka leaned across the table, trying to get Rose's attention.

"Hey." She said, tapping her hand on the table. "I know your scared, but if you know something that can help the cause, I promise you that the resistance will protect you."

Rose lifted up her blue eyes and was met with Juleka's eyes intense scrutiny. "Max told me that the Prince is still alive."

"Yes." Juleka confirmed. "Yes he is alive and he is coming here." She then held out her hand across the table. "Please, trust me Rose and tell me what you know."

Rose bit down on her lower lip, looking down at the hand extended towards her. Juleka smiled when Rose placed her hand in hers. "Now what is this great secret Bardot is keeping?"

The blonde girl took a deep breath. "There is a girl Bardot brought to the palace under false pretenses. Her name is Lady Zoè Lee. She is the Prince's half sister."

Juleka listened as Rose explained to her everything she had overheard the night Bardot revealed what he knew about the affair between Audrey Bourgeois and King Gabriel. Juleka was stunned to say the least. She'd heard plenty of rumours about Gabriel, most about how unpleasant and uptight he was, but none would have indicated infidelity, especially when Emilie had been such a beloved Queen. What had he been thinking?

"Can this Zoè and her friend, Nathaniel did you say? Can they be trusted?"

Rose nodded her head. "I believe so. She…"

The group was interrupted by a sudden knocking on the door. Max and Kim shared a worried look, the latter drawing his musket. Cautiously Max looked through the small peep hole.

"It's one of our messengers." He said, opening the door and accepting a sealed envelope. Opening it, he read through the contents.

"Bob Roth is on his way back into the city, and he has a prisoner - the Prince's new bride."

"So the rumour was true." Rose pondered out loud.

"What rumours?" Max queried.

"That not only was the Prince alive, but that he is married. If it's true, he can lay claim back to the throne. No wonder he is so angry."

"Who? Bardot?" Juleka asked. Rose nodded.

"His temper knows no bounds. He's been throwing furniture, breaking mirrors… Lady Nathalie is under house arrest in her chambers for helping Miss Rossi and Miss Bourgeois escape. No one is allowed out of the palace except for a few of us that work in the kitchen. We were granted special passes so that we can purchase provisions." She took out a piece of paper from her purse that showed a document with the royal seal.

Juleka then had an idea. "Could you get me into the palace with you?"

"Miss Couffaine…" Max said with concern but Rose nodded her head.

"I could get you in, but you might not be able to leave again."

Juleka gave her a sly grin. "I wouldn't worry about that. Max, will you let my mother on The Liberty know where I have gone and tell her and Socqueline not to worry. I'm sure Luka will take the Prince there when they reach the Capital."

Getting her coat and pulling her hood over her head, Juleka followed Rose out of the safe house and towards the Royal residence. Rose fidgeted with her fingers nervously as they walked. "Have you… been to the palace before."

"Yes, when I was younger. My brother had just entered the military academy with the Prince and we went to see them being presented to King Gabriel. I felt a bad aura around the King even then."

"A bad aura?" Rose asked. "You… you can sense that about people? Are you a witch of some kind?"

Juleka looked at Rose nervously. "Not exactly." She said with a shy smile. "I don't cast spells if that's what you mean, I just sense feelings about people and read the runes. Sometimes I can see visions of the future. Honestly it's been more of a curse in my life than a blessing. I had to keep it a secret because other kids, and adults, used to be afraid of me." She added, pulling her hood a little further over her face. "I think they thought I was cursed."

"A curse? I think it's amazing." Rose beamed. "You have a real gift Juleka, don't diminish yourself because some people don't understand it."

Juleka was surprised at how enthusiastic Rose was. Usually people viewed her with suspicion if they found out about her abilities. It was heartwarming to meet someone, who didn't really know her at all, accept her for who she was.

"Thank you." Juleka said softly.

Not long after the two women arrived at a side gate that led to the kitchen. There was no longer as many staff working for the palace, Rose explaining that many had fled or had been executed on suspicion of helping the resistance.

"Mrs Mandeleiev." Rose called out to an older woman who was sitting a large pot over the fireplace. The woman wiped her hands on her apron and came over to see what was the matter. Juleka noticed Rose seemed a little nervous of the woman.

"This is my… cousin, Jules Lavillant. She's just arrived from the country looking for work. I told her we were looking for staff."

Mrs Mandeleiev looked Juleka up and down over the top of her glasses, slightly screwing up her nose at her. "Skinny." She huffed out bluntly. "But she looks healthy enough. Alright, if you're willing to work you can bunk in with Rose for now. Get some sleep and be here bright and early. I hope you know how to peel potatoes."

Leaving Mrs Mandeliev to her business, Rose took Juleka to where the servants quarters were. The room was small, but tidy with two beds, a chest of draws and a small table.

"My roommate was one of the ones that ran away when King Gabriel died." Rose explained.

"Why didn't you run?"

"I was sick." Rose said, sitting on the edge of her bed. "I get these headaches sometimes and I just simply couldn't get up. I told her to go though. She didn't know I was in contact with the resistance though. Speaking of which, now that you're here, what are you planning to do?"

Juleka sat down on her bed opposite Rose. "I need to talk to Lady Zoè and find out what she knows."